Holy Week

It has been a busy past few days around our house. We’ve been busy with multiple Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services in both Broughton and Blackley. The Church of England has a very unique and beautiful way of remember both significant events of Holy Week leading up to the Easter Celebration.

One of our participants, Katie Mumper (http://katherinemumper.myadventures.org/) summarized her Maundy Thursday experience in Blackley beautifully and I thought I would share that with you. Katie writes:

. . . . I was able to participate in my first Maundy Thursday service, including a Passover Seder. I can’t really describe what it meant to sit and listen and participate and understand what that last meal would have looked like for Jesus and His disciples. To have in mind my spiritual deliverance from slavery to sin while remembering Israel’s physical deliverance from slavery in Egypt. To eat the lamb while thinking of Jesus as the spotless lamb, sacrificed for our protection from death. To eat the unleavened bread, the symbol of Jesus’ body… have you ever noticed that matzah is pierced with holes? And to drink the wine, not once, but four times. Three sips as part of the traditional Passover meal; the fourth, added by Jesus as a symbol of His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

I was part of a very similar experience in Broughton at St. James. Even thought it was my 2nd time to participate in this Maundy Thursday service, it was still rich with meaning, symbolism, and gratitude as we remember the last events of Christ’s life.

Another aspect that I think is unique about the Church of England is they often have their Good Friday services at 2:00pm, ending at 3:00pm, the hour of Christ’s death. Henry, the vicar I work most with, is incredibly gifted at visual aids and crafted a moving service that focused on Christ’s hands of kindness. Images of hands were used throughout the service and were absolutely moving. As the service progressed it talked about the physical make-up of our hands, the types of functions our hands perform, and what Christ’s hands might have looked like as a carpenter. We went on to reflect on the choice that each of us is faced with in using our hands for good or evil. It was the hands of the people and the soldiers, essentially us, that bound Christ to the cross to bear the sins our hands have committed.

The contemporary hymn “From Heaven You Came” was used as a sort of interlude between the various segments of the service. Several times we sang the words:

Come see His hands and His feet, the scars that speak of sacrifice,
hands that flung stars into space to cruel nails surrendered.
This is our God, the Servant King . . . .

The song “Hands of Kindness” by Delirious was also used several times in the service. My favourite verse from the song says:

Oh your hands of mercy, were scarred for me.
And your body was broken, so that I go free.

As we all left in quiet reflection, the question “For what will I use my hands?” reverberated in my heart, mind, and soul.

Friday night was a unique experience as well. The St. Andrews youth group called the “Chimp Chillers” meets on Friday night and as part of their Good Friday experience we had an enormous bonfire. As we stood round the bonfire we read the account of Jesus last hours and death. We sang songs like “There is a Redeemer” as we stood ‘round the fire, reflecting on his sacrifice and love for each one of us. In the midst of fire and energetic youth, I know, not normally a good combination), there were a few beautiful moments of reflection and beauty.

I must say, my heart is ready for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Sunday.

I am also very excited for my mom, dad, Katelyn, and Katelyn’s good friend Paige to arrive on Monday for a weeklong visit. In addition to meeting my friends, seeing the various ministry sites, and wondering around Broughton and on down into Manchester City Centre, we are going to pop down to London for a couple of days. We should have a great time together.

In preparing your heart for Easter, I’d like to leave you with the challenge that struck a chord deep within me: For what will you use your hands?

Chaddington